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Manning Index of South Australian History
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    Place Names of South Australia - L

    Labatt, Point - Largs

    Labatt, Point

    Nomenclature

    West of Cape Radstock contiguous to section 23, Hundred of Rounsevell. J.B. Labatt, Assistant Engineer of the Harbors Board.

    General Notes

    Information on J.B. Labatt is in the Register,
    3 April 1906, page 5b,
    Advertiser, 14 May 1928, page 11g,
    Observer,19 May 1928, page 54d (obit.).

    An obituary of Mr J.B. Labatt is in the Advertiser,
    14 May 1928, page 11g.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Lacepede Bay

    See Place Names - Kingston SE.

    Nomenclature

    Baudin named it Baie des Orphelins (Bay of Orphans), while on Freycinet's published charts it appears as B. Lacepede. Bernard, Comte de Lac?p?de (1756-1825), a French naturalist and biologist; he later entered politics and was made Minister of Marine in 1804 and a Peer of France in 1819.

    General Notes

    "Lacepede Bay as a Mail Station" is in the Register,
    29 April 1871, page 5a.
    "The Safety of Lacepede Bay During Storms" is in the Chronicle,
    6 May 1871, page 12b.

    The Lacepede Bay School opened in 1863 becoming "Kingston" in 1869.

    A horse race meeting is reported in the Chronicle,
    1 January 1870, page 10b.
    Also see South Australia - Sport - Horse Racing.

    A report on local Aborigines is in the Register, 9 May 1873, page 6f.

    Also see South Australia - Aboriginal Australians.

    The question "Why is the Water Always so Smooth in Lacepede Bay?" is traversed in the Register, 21 and 27 August 1906, pages 4h and 9e.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Lady Alice

    Nomenclature

    A town built around the Lady Alice Gold Mine in 1873 in Hamlin Gully. When it was at its peak during the 1880s both gold and copper were being mined. By 1904 the town was almost deserted. Today the remains can be seen on the border of the Para Wirra National Park.

    General Notes

    Also see South Australia - Mining - Gold.

    Information on the mine is in the Chronicle,
    28 June 1873, page 11f,
    Observer,
    18 October 1873, page 4e;
    a history of the mine is in the Advertiser,
    27 February 1875, page 2e.

    The town and mine are described in the Register,
    11 November 1875, page 7c; also see
    5 July 1881, page 6b,
    1 October 1888, page 6d,
    25 February 1897, page 6g,
    Express,
    30 January 1890, page 4c,
    Advertiser,
    2 March 1898, page 5f.
    The obituary of its discoverer, James Goddard, is in the Register,
    14 June 1897, page 4h; also see
    12 September 1903, page 4d.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Laffer, Hundred of

    Nomenclature

    George Richards Laffer, MP (1913-1933). Born at Coromandel Valley in 1866, he became a fruit grower at Belair. He supervised all soldier settlement schemes on the River Murray and under his control South Australia became the first State to pass a Town Planning Act. He was Speaker of the House from 1927-1930 and, as a member of a Royal Commission into alleged illegal betting and whether bookmakers should be licensed, his sincerity and tenacity were instrumental in having a Bill passed which was applauded by the sporting community.

    General Notes

    Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods.

    Mr Laffer's obituary is in the Advertiser, 8 December 1933, page 24h.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Laffin Point

    Nomenclature

    On the banks of the Goolwa Channel at the entrance to Currency Creek. Joshua Laffin, who established a dairy there. In 1872 he took up the licence of the Corio Hotel at Goolwa after which he removed to Kadina.

    General Notes

    A report of Joshuah Laffin is in the Express, 23 February 1871, page 3d.

    An obituary of Mrs Olive Laffin is in the Observer,
    23 March 1912, page 41a.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Lake Plains

    Nomenclature

    A descriptive name given to a subdivision of section 2113, Hundred of Bremer 24 km south-east of Strathalbyn.

    General Notes

    They are described in the Register,
    20 March 1866, page 3e.
    Reminiscences of the 1870s appear on
    19 March 1926, page 13d.

    Its school opened in 1862 and closed in 1942;
    Register,
    15 March 1862, page 3h;
    examinations are reported in the Register,
    4 December 1863, page 3g,
    Chronicle,
    9 November 1867, page 2e.
    A photograph of a "Back to School" celebration is in the Chronicle,
    14 May 1936, page 35.

    An obituary of Mrs M. McBain is in the Register,
    30 October 1905, page 4g.

    The reminiscences of Rev F. Slaney Poole are in the Observer,
    3 April 1926, page 18c.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Lake View

    Nomenclature

    A descriptive name given to a railway station 16 km north of Snowtown.

    General Notes

    Its school opened in 1920 and closed in 1946.

    The district's first field trial is reported in the Advertiser,
    14 January 1926, page 20b; also see
    26 January 1933, page 38 and
    2 February 1933, page 6a.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Lamb Point

    On Flinders Island; named after "an officer of SS Governor Musgrave" - see Advertiser,
    21 January 1910, page 6e.
    An obituary of Richard Lamb, chief officer, is in the Observer,
    9 September 1911, page 41a.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Lameroo

    Nomenclature

    The name was suggested by J. McL. Johnston at a meeting of settlers; he had served in Darwin where there was a "Lameroo Beach". The Aboriginal name for the district was wauwauwe -'many kangaroos'.

    A contrary opinion was expressed in the Register, 29 November 1904, page 3:

    General Notes

    "The Pioneer of Lameroo - Death of Mr Leckie" is in the Advertiser,
    17 November 1919, page 8c.
    Register,
    18 November 1919, page 7b,
    Observer,
    22 November 1919, page 20d,
    25 November 1922, page 24a (obit.).
    His wife's obituary is in the Register,
    20 November 1922, page 11b.

    The town and district are described in the Register,
    28 November 1905, page 8e,
    Observer,
    14 August 1909, page 45d.

    Photographs are in the Chronicle,
    15 September 1906, page 30,
    24 August 1907, page 29,
    6 March 1909, pages 31-32,
    23 May 1925, page 37,
    The Critic,
    18 January 1911, page 7,
    8 and 15 February 1911, pages 16 and 20,
    15 and 22 March 1911, pages 3-4 and 18,
    5 April 1911, pages 16 and 19.

    "Lameroo Settlers" is in the Chronicle,
    23 and 30 November 1907, pages 41 and 40b,
    11 January 1908, page 41a.

    Information on the survey of the town is in the Advertiser,
    17 July 1909, page 8h.
    "When Lameroo was Surveyed" is in the Advertiser,
    21 August 1936, page 27a.

    "Settlement at Lameroo" is in the Advertiser,
    18 and 19 November 1907, pages 9d and 7h,
    "The Progress of Lameroo" on
    7 January 1908, page 11c; also see
    28 August 1908, page 10d.

    Photographs of an Arbor Day are in the Chronicle,
    15 August 1908, page 29, Also see South Australia - Education - Arbor Days.
    of the opening of the Institute on
    24 July 1909, page 29,
    of a football team on
    9 September 1911, page 32,
    of a masonic temple on
    11 July 1914, page 30,
    of dogs, the "Willing Workers at Lameroo", on
    7 May 1931, page 37.

    Information on the school is in the Register,
    1 August 1910, page 10b.
    Photographs of the opening of the school are in the Observer,
    6 August 1910, page 30,
    of a bullock team carting wheat on
    15 July 1911, page 28,
    of the institute on
    16 May 1914, page 29,
    of school students dressed as grandmothers on
    18 March 1916, page 26,
    of wheat at the railway station on
    4 December 1926, page 34.

    The town is described in the Register,
    17 July 1909, page 8g,
    11 August 1909, page 9c,
    5 and 15 February 1910, pages 14g and 7f,
    1 August 1910, pages 5h-10b,
    Advertiser,
    12 November 1910, page 16a,
    Chronicle,
    3 December 1910, page 12a.
    Register,
    5 January 1912, page 3f.
    Reminiscences appear in the Advertiser,
    26 May 1933, page 22g.
    Photographs are in the Observer,
    15 July 1911, pages 28-29.

    Its school opened in 1906.
    Photographs are in the Chronicle,
    30 July 1910, page 29,
    11 October 1913, page 29; also see
    11 October 1913, page 14a.

    A sports day is reported in the Chronicle,
    26 March 1910, page 44c.

    Its inaugural Show is reported in the Register,
    4 November 1910, page 5f; also see
    Advertiser,
    18 October 1912, page 14d.
    Also see South Australia - Agricultural, Floricultural & Horticultural Shows .

    The laying of the foundation stone of the hospital is reported in the Register,
    19 December 1911, page 3e,
    Observer,
    23 December 1911, page 18c.

    Photographs of the Roman Catholic Church are in the Chronicle,
    9 September 1911, page 30; also see
    23 December 1911, page 29,
    of the Catholic Church in the Observer,
    23 December 1911, page 30,
    of the hospital on
    6 January 1912, page 30,
    of a masonic temple on
    11 July 1914, page 4 (supp.),
    of horses yarded for military purposes on
    17 October 1914, page 27,
    of an Australia Day celebration on
    14 August 1915, page 29,
    of enlisted men on
    21 August 1915, page 30.

    The opening of the Institute is reported in the Register,
    5 May 1914, page 10f.

    Information on a golf club is in the Observer,
    26 September 1914, page 23a.
    Also see South Australia - Sport - Golf.

    "Irrigation at Lameroo" is in the Observer, 13 February 1915, page 13a.

    A field trial is reported in the Register,
    14 February 1920, page 5g.

    "Successful Farms [E.T. Wray]" is in the Register,
    18 June 1920, page 9e.
    Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Farming - Mallee and Dry Farming.

    Information on the hotel is in the Observer,
    27 December 1924, page 35c.

    The opening of a memorial hall is reported in the Observer,
    27 February 1926, page 27d.
    Also see South Australia - World War I - Memorials to the Fallen.

    An obituary of J.E. Thyer is in the Observer,
    14 August 1915, page 46a,
    of F.W. Eime on 13 January 1926, page 8h.

    Biographical details of John Gray are in the Register,
    9 March 1926, page 8i.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Lancelot

    Nomenclature

    J. Lancelot Stirling who was appointed Lt-Governor Way's private secretary.

    General Notes

    Two months prior to the gazettal of the town, J. Lancelot Stirling was appointed Lt-Governor Way's private secretary - see Government Gazette,
    18 May 1877, page 1232.
    Biographical details of Mr Stirling are in the Observer,
    18 July 1891, page 33a.

    A plea for a post office is in the Observer,
    27 July 1878, page 24d; also see
    Parliamentary Paper 146/1879. See South Australia - Communications - Mail and Postal
    For information on the town's water supply see Observer,
    20 September 1879, page 7b.
    Also see South Australia - Water Conservation.

    Its school opened in 1878 and closed in 1912; see
    Chronicle,
    24 August 1878, page 1b (supp.),
    Register,
    20 February 1880, page 5b.
    The "first" school picnic is reported in the Register,
    24 August 1908, page 8d.

    A Catholic picnic in Mr Thomas Brady's paddock is reported in the Register,
    8 January 1885, page 7g; also see
    Chronicle,
    9 January 1897, page 20e,
    8 January 1898, page 18b.

    An obituary of Mrs Bridget Kilderry is in the Register,
    5 September 1925, page 5h.

    The golden wedding of Mr & Mrs F.W. Hennig is reported in the Register,
    7 May 1926, page 8g.

    "Deserted Village" is in the Chronicle, 19 August 1937, page 50d.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Landseer, Hundred of

    Nomenclature

    A.H. Landseer, MP (1875-1899). Born in London in 1829, he came to South Australia in the Bolton in 1848 after which he became a successful businessman at Milang where he died in 1906;

    General Notes

    Also see South Australia - Politics.

    Biographical details of Mr Landseer are in the Express,
    6 January 1899, page 2b,
    Observer,
    18 February 1899, page 16d and
    an obituary on
    1 September 1906, page 38d.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Langhorne Creek

    Nomenclature

    H.C. Talbot says:

    Much of the information in the preceding paragraph is disputed in Mortlock Library Research Note No. 460:

    General Notes

    "The River Bremer changes its name to Langhorne's Creek for the last four miles before entering Lake Alexandrina" -
    C.H. Kruse, cited in Rodney Cockburn, Nomenclature of South Australia (1908), page 22.

    A further account of the overland expedition is in the Southern Australian,
    1 June 1841, page 3b,
    Register,
    10 and 24 July 1841, pages 3b-c and 3b,
    18 August 1909, page 7a;
    the opening of the "new" bridge appears on
    28 November 1862, page 3d,
    while a description of "Frank Potts' Place" appears on
    4 May 1863, page 3d.

    The opening of the Wesleyan Chapel is reported in the Register,
    20 November 1857, page 3g;
    the laying of the foundation stone of a new school appears on
    4 December 1857, page 2h.
    The laying of the foundation stone of the Primitive Methodist Chapel is reported in the Chronicle,
    13 July 1867, page 4c.

    A public meeting in connection with riparian rights to the waters of the creek is reported in the Register,
    5 January 1860, page 3e; also see
    Farm & Garden,
    12 January 1860, page 115.

    Information on a school at Langhorne's Bridge is in the Register,
    28 August 1855, page 2g,
    5 September 1856, page 3e,
    4 December 1857, page 2h,
    1 July 1858, page 3a,
    Observer,
    3 July 1858, page 3d.
    The Register of
    24 July 1861, page 2h reports on "a new schoolroom has been erected on the plains, a short distance from here".

    Its school opened as "Langhorne's Bridge" in 1861 and was apparently changed to "Langhorne's Creek" in 1875.
    Also see Register,
    29 July 1862, page 3c,
    29 August 1862, page 3d,
    7 March 1863, page 3h,
    22 March 1877, page 5b,
    10 May 1877, page 5a,
    28 June 1877, page 1e (supp.)-2c (supp.),
    Observer,
    24 March 1877, page 12b,
    12 May 1877, page 12b,
    28 March 1908, page 17a.
    The Register of
    22 March 1877 at page 5b says of the school - "When the rain sets in the place is something like a shower bath..."; also see
    25 October 1877, page 6d and
    3 December 1877, page 6d.
    A report on examinations at the local school is in the Register,
    7 November 1867, page 3d,
    7 November 1868, page 2h,
    25 October 1869, page 2h.

    A photograph of "lessons by wireless" is in the Chronicle,
    11 June 1936, page 32.
    Also see South Australia - Education.

    A public meeting in respect of irrigation is reported in the Observer,
    10 and 31 December 1859, pages 2h and 4c,
    7 January 1860, page 3d,
    Chronicle,
    7 January 1860, page 3a.
    Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Irrigation.

    The opening of a new bridge is reported in the Chronicle,
    29 November 1862, page 1g (supp.).

    A ploughing match is reported in the Chronicle,
    25 August 1866, page 3a,
    Register,
    13 August 1867, page 3c,
    Chronicle,
    7 August 1869, page 12d,
    Observer,
    8 August 1874, page 6e.
    Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Ploughing Matches.

    The sticking-up of a mail coach is reported in the Chronicle,
    1 June 1867, page 4b-d.
    Also see South Australia - Transport - Horse Coaches.

    The village is described in the Register,
    20 March 1866, page 3e, including "Frank Potts' Place"; also see
    15 June 1892, page 6a,
    3 June 1895, page 6h.

    A short story on the life of Frank Potts by Genesia L. Potts is in the Register,
    13 October 1906, page 10g,
    Observer,
    20 October 1906, page 48b.
    Frank Potts' vineyard is described in the Register,
    26 July 1869, page 3f,
    6 May 1892, page 3h,
    3 June 1895, page 6h,
    Observer,
    14 May 1892, page 12e.
    An obituary of Arthur Potts is in the Observer,
    27 August 1904, page 34c,
    "The Vintage" is in the Register,
    26 April 1905, page 8d.
    Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Viticulture.

    The opening of the Primitive Methodist Church "on the Angas Plains" is reported in the Register,
    29 September 1866, page 3b; also see
    12 July 1867, page 2d,
    9 November 1867, page 3e.

    Flooding is described in the Register,
    16 October 1867, page 2g,
    Observer,
    20 August 1870, page 7d,
    28 August 1909, page 45a.
    Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods.

    The drowning of three children is reported in the Observer,
    4 April 1878, page 7g.

    "A Visit to Langhorne's Creek" is in the Register,
    3 April 1893, page 6f.

    A proposed creamery is discussed in the Observer,
    28 July 1894, page 8c.
    Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Dairying.

    An Oddfellows' picnic is reported in the Chronicle,
    11 March 1899, page 19d.
    Also see South Australia - Banking and Finance - General Finance - Building and Friendly Societies.

    A pigeon shooting match on the grounds of the Bridge Hotel is reported in the Chronicle,
    9 September 1899, page 31d.
    Also see South Australia - Sport - Pigeon Racing and Shooting.

    A horse race meeting is reported in the Observer,
    12 January 1901, page 18a,
    11 January 1902, page 18b.
    Also see South Australia - Sport - Horse Racing.

    "What Settlers are Doing" is in the Register,
    11 August 1915, page 4d,
    Observer,
    14 August 1915, page 11a - includes biographical details of W. Natt and F.J. H. Cleggett.

    A.J. Follett's property is described in the Register,
    13 August 1915, page 11a and
    H.L. Binney's on
    19 August 1915, page 11c.

    A sports day is reported in the Register,
    28 February 1916, page 9f.

    The laying of the foundation stone of a new Anglican Church is reported in the Advertiser,
    12 June 1929, page 19f.

    Biographical details of Myles Formby are in the Register,
    16 December 1924, page 9e,
    of Henry Fairweather on 8 September 1928, page 10g.

    A photograph of a football team is in the Chronicle,
    15 August 1935, page 38.
    Also see South Australia - Sport - Football.

    Langhorne Creek -Obituariess

    An obituary of John Borrett is in the Observer,
    25 August 1906, page 38d, 29 September 1906 (photo),
    of H.F.A. Wenzel on 19 December 1908, page 34a,
    of G. Cleggett on 15 October 1910, page 41a,
    of G.C. Wood on 14 July 1917, page 19a,
    of Frank Potts on 7 September 1917, page 14a.

    An obituary of W.T. Binney is in the Register,
    7 May 1907, page 5b,
    of William F.T. Wenzel on 27 July 1907, page 7d,
    of H.F.A. Wenzel on 14 December 1908, page 5a,
    of Joseph Binney on 7 December 1914, page 4h,
    of Edward Wenzel on 14 October 1919, page 6g.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Langmeil

    Nomenclature

    On section 37, Hundred of Moorooroo and laid out on behalf of George Fife Angas circa 1845. A German word meaning 'long mile'. It was changed to 'Bilyara' in 1918 but reverted to its original name on 17 April 1975.

    Life at Langmeil and Rosenthal and a Trek to Portland, Victoria - By Christine Petschel

    (Taken from Geoffrey H. Manning's, Hope Farm Chronicle, p. 98.)

    It was P. Aurich's father who took us to Langmeil, but he was unable to accommodate us. We had great difficulty in finding a house, but eventually were able to secure the newly built school house, although not completed. Our room only had doors and windows. We had just settled in when our menfolk arrived and now we had more courage. Mother had often shed a few tears at being left among strangers. In this room we lived for six weeks and attended church services at Bethany every Sunday. During this sojourn six families from Saxony purchased some land eight or ten miles away. Now work began in earnest.

    First the different allotments were pegged out and building places selected. Mr Auricht was again so kind as to take us and our goods on his two waggons to our land. There was absolutely nothing on the place, not even a hut. Naturally, we could not live in the open, so the first thing was to build a house. Father and his two brothers took axes and saws and went into the bush for building material which was an easy task as suitable wood was scarce. When eventually they found a suitable tree it would be felled, trimmed and sawn, so that it would be as light as possible to be carried home on their shoulders.

    The timber was firmly rammed into the ground and they would set off to search for another suitable tree. When the framework of the roof was finished the problem was how to cover it. Not so very far distant was a settlement called Hoffnungstahl and all of the settlers offered Father straw for the roof if he would thrash it.

    We purchased several goats to provide us with milk, but they were soon disposed of as we found them to be thievish, causing us great worry. Then father bought two cows, but as we had no paddock for them they would stray. After several months one was found. She had learned to crawl through fences and was found in a wheat crop. That was no good, so she had to be slaughtered. Scarcely had our neighbours noticed that Father understood the killing of a beast, than he was made slaughterman for the whole community.

    Whenever a ship arrived with new settlers it was customary for each householder to meet the ship with his waggon. Each settler would then bring back one or two families, who later woukl help us to reap our harvest with sickles. As payment the respective families would be provided for.

    Quite a number of families came from Madgeburge. My parents and several others did not feel at home with these new settlers, so they discussed amongst themselves the idea of leaving the settlement.

    One member of the community left for Port Adelaide and boarded a small single-masted schooner bound for Portland and Melbourne. Arriving at Portland the Lord led him to a squatter named Henty, who understood a little German. He told his troubles to Mr Henty and how he was on the search for good land for wheat growing as well as vegetables.

    Mr Henty became quite enthusiastic, explaining that there was good land at Portland but no one to cultivate it. After inspecting the land more closely and seeing the luxuriant growth in the gardens, the searcher returned to Rosenthal.

    When our friend returned the report caused a great sensation. Now we discussed in detail the best way to get to Portland with our belongings. We were informed that there was a great desert of 400 miles between Adelaide and Portland. It was decided to send two of our party, accompanied by Mr Blandowski, a good bushman, to explore the overland route, especially where to find water and where we could camp at night. In a few weeks they returned with a good report; they had found a beaten track which at times was only a narrow path.

    Our party consisted of eight families, three of which had just arrived from Europe. To provide sleeping accommodation, as well as shelter from rain, we built hoods over the waggons. Chaff had to be taken for horse feed, also a bag of flour, and on top of these was our bedding. Across the front of the waggon was the tucker bin, which served as a seat, and at the rear a coop containing poultry was fastened.

    Our herd of 52 cattle was driven by two of the party. For the conveyance of eight families we had eleven waggons. So in God's name we started to our new home, leaving Rosenthal early in May 1852. The journey took us four weeks, averaging about 20 miles a day. I, as well as all the older children, walked the whole distance.

    Bread was made in camp ovens and throughout the whole journey our meals consisted of bread and butter and tea without milk. Everybody was happy and contented and, what was more important, everybody was well. God blessed us with fine weather, except one night when it rained causing those youngsters sleeping in the open many tears.

    During the last week we passed through Mount Gambier which consisted of one hotel and ten small houses, each of which had one door, two windows and a chimney, but most of them were empty, as the owners had gone to the diggings. All the people we saw were barefooted.

    On arrival at Portland it was apparent the inhabitants had never seen a German before. Everyone stared at us. The local children followed us and called out "Germans", "Germans." We managed to rent a house and when we were settled many children brought boxes to stand on so that they could watch us through the windows.

    For earlier reminiscences see note under Place Names - Klemzig.

    General Notes

    Also see South Australia - Immigration - Migrants - German.

    Information on the Lutheran church is in the Observer,
    1 December 1888, page 16e.
    A report of a church jubilee is in the Chronicle,
    6 December 1913, page 40e.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L
    Place Names

    Largs

    Nomenclature

    The Register of 18 June 1873 advertises the 'Township of Margate' but on 2 July 1873 an advertisement proclaims that the subdivision was to be known as Largs. George and Thomas Elder laid out this seaside suburb on sections 1061-62 and 1096-97, Hundred of Port Adelaide naming it after the town of Largs in Scotland, where George Elder died in 1897 aged 81.

    General Notes

    The Register of
    18 June 1873 advertises the "Township of Margate" but on
    2 July 1873 an advertisement proclaims that the subdivision was to be known as "Largs".

    "Crime and Humor in the Early Days" is in The Mail,
    24 November 1934, page 4.

    A parliamentary inspection of the district is reported in the Register,
    21 September 1877, page 6c.

    A meeting of the Largs Bay Land and Investment Company is reported in the Register,
    9 July 1881 (supp.),page 2d; also see
    30 October 1884 (supp.), page 2c,
    28 April 1885, page 7b,
    2 November 1885, page 7a.
    Information on the Largs Bay Land Company is in the Express,
    30 October 1884, page 3f; also see
    Register,
    2 May 1889, page 4h.

    A "Visit to Largs Bay" is reported in the Advertiser,
    3 June 1882, page 6d; also see
    Chronicle,
    10 June 1882, page 7e,
    30 December 1882, page 7c.

    A sketch of the Largs Pier Hotel is in the Pictorial Australian,
    April 1883, page 56; also see
    Express,
    31 January 1883, page 3e.

    A regatta and sports day are reported in the Chronicle,
    30 December 1882, page 9c,
    8 January 1898, page 19c,
    Register,
    27 December 1884, page 6e.
    Proposed ketch races are discussed in the Register,
    10 and 28 December 1885, pages 7h and 7f.

    "Bathing at Largs Bay" is in the Express,
    20 November 1883, page 3c.
    Also see Adelaide - Beaches and Bathing - Miscellany.

    The "union" of its esplanade with Semaphore is reported in the Register,
    21 July 1884, page 7h.

    Information on the Largs Bay Land Company is in the Express,
    30 October 1884, page 3f.

    A military camp is described in the Express,
    9 and 11 May 1885, pages 3d and 3d.
    Also see South Australia - Defence of the Colony.

    "A Night's Dredging and Trawling at Largs Bay" is in the Observer,
    3 October 1885, page 42.
    Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Fishing.

    An accident with rocket apparatus is reported in the Register on
    14 January 1889, page 6e; also see
    4 February 1889, page 5c.
    Also see South Australia - Maritime Affairs - Lifeboats and Rockets.

    The purchase of the railway and jetty by the government is reported in the Register,
    13 and 14 February 1891, pages 4g and 7h.

    The proposed landing of mails is discussed in the Register,
    16 and 29 December 1890, pages 4h-5b-7d and 7d,
    13 January 1891, page 5a,
    3, 7, 11 and 13 February 1891, pages 5b, 5a, 6a and 4f-5a,
    Express,
    11 February 1891, page 4f; also see
    Register,
    24 March 1892, pages 7f,
    18 July 1892, page 4e,
    Express,
    26 July 1892, page 3f,
    28 February 1899, page 2c.
    Photographs are in The Critic,
    19 April 1902, page 4,
    29 August 1903, page 18 and
    a cartoon on
    1 February 1905, page 15.

    "When the English Mail Arrives - A Day With the Officials" is reported in the Register,
    5 and 12 March 1904, pages 8h and 7f; also see
    24 January 1907, page 5h,
    12 August 1907, page 4h and Semaphore and South Australia - Communications - Sea Mail.

    "Discontinuance of Largs Bay Trains" is in the Register,
    21, 22 and 30 July 1885, pages 5a, 5a and 4g,
    1 August 1885, page 5a,
    31 August 1887, page 5a.
    "Largs Bay Railway Fatality" is in the Register,
    20 July 1904, page 7g.
    Also see Adelaide - Transport - Railways.

    A sports day is reported in the Observer,
    29 December 1888, page 19d.

    A report of Greek refugees camping in the sandhills and their subsequent fate is reported in the Register,
    23 and 28 June 1898, pages 6c and 4h,
    2, 8, 14 and 25 July 1898, pages 5a, 4h, 4g and 4g,
    3 and 20 August 1898, pages 4g and 4g.

    Information on the Methodist Church is in the Register,
    18 and 19 July 1904, pages 3f and 6h.
    The laying of the foundation stone of the new Methodist Church is reported in the Register,
    10 October 1927, page 6c.

    Information on an Anglican church is in the Register,
    7 and 9 April 1906, page s 10h and 8g.

    Information on the Sisters of St Joseph Orphanage and the "generous tradesmen" in supplying food is reported in the Advertiser,
    3 December 1909, page 9d.
    Register,
    23 January 1911, page 10,
    28 May 1912, page 10b,
    19 September 1912, page 9h.
    For information on St Joseph's Orphanage see Register,
    14 March 1927, page 6f,
    Chronicle,
    19 March 1927, pages 18 and 47,
    The News,
    9 August 1927, page 8d,
    Register,
    2 December 1927, page 12c.

    A photograph of fishing from the jetty is in the Observer,
    28 August 1909, page 31, Also see South Australia< - Sport - Fishing.
    of naval reserve cadets on
    16 May 1914, page 31.

    Photographs of a naval camp are in the Chronicle,
    8 January 1910, page 30,
    of a sandcastle competition on
    24 January 1935, pages 33 and 34.

    Photographs of a military camp are in The Critic,
    9 September 1914, page 12.

    The opening of a tram service is reported in the Register,
    16 May 1917, page 6d.
    Also see Adelaide - Transport - Tramways.

    "School for Largs Bay" is in the Advertiser,
    6 February 1918, page 6d;
    according to records in the Education Department it opened in 1924; also see Register,
    22 January 1924, page 9b,
    17 August 1927, page 11b,
    Advertiser,
    17 August 1927, page 22h.
    Information on its Mothers' Club is in The News,
    21 March 1929, page 9c.
    A photograph of Empire Day celebrations is in the Chronicle,
    31 May 1934, page 31.

    The golden wedding of Captain & Mrs Marshall Smith is reported in the Register,
    25 February 1919, page 4f.

    Biographical details of Henry H. Birt are in the Register,
    20 March 1926, page 4f,
    of Mrs George Wallace in the Observer,
    7 April 1928, page 34c,
    of John Noel in The News,
    30 June 1937, page 7c.

    The golden wedding of Mr & Mrs B.E. Clarke is reported in the Register,
    25 November 1926, page 8g.

    A police raid on a two-up school is reported in the Register,
    8 and 9 January 1923, pages 6f and 3g.
    Also see South Australia - Social Matters - Gambling.

    "Largs Bay - A Progressive Town" is in the Advertiser,
    26 May 1924, page 13e.
    Photographs of a carnival are in the Chronicle,
    5 January 1929, page 36.

    The inauguration of a bus service is reported in the Register,
    2 April 1926, page 5b.
    Also see Adelaide - Transport - Motor Buses.

    The laying of the foundation stone of the new Methodist Church is reported in the Register,
    10 October 1927, page 6c.

    Largs - Maritime Affairs

    Also see South Australia - Maritime Affairs.

    A proposal to erect a "pier 6,450 feet long... so that large steamers may be able to lie alongside" is discussed in the Register,
    29 August 1877, page 4d; also see
    Register,
    24 July 1877, page 7c,
    Chronicle,
    1 September 1877, page 5b,
    Observer,
    21 January 1882, page 7b,
    Express,
    26 December 1882, page 2f.

    The opening of the pier and railway are reported in the Register,
    25 and 27 December 1882, pages 7a and 4e.
    The proposed discontinuance of the rail service to Glanville is discussed in the Register,
    21 and 30 July 1885, pages 5a and 4g,
    1 August 1885, page 6h.

    Sunday labour on steamers is discussed in the Register,
    5, 6 and 8 June 1883, pages 4g-6c, 7g and 7c.
    Also see South Australia - Religion - Breaking the Sabbath.

    A proposed jetty is discussed in the Register,
    12 October 1877, page 4e and
    1 November 1877, page 4e; also see
    Express,
    29 August 1877, page 3b,
    13 January 1882, page 3b,
    24 April 1882, page 2d,
    17 February 1888, page 3c,
    18 December 1890, page 3e,
    18 March 1891, page 5 (sketch).

    Information on harbour works and the erection of the jetty is in the Register,
    6, 13, 21 and 23 January 1882, pages 5c, 4f-6a, 4f and 6c,
    Observer,
    14 February 1891, page 29a.

    The opening of the pier and railway are reported in the Register,
    25 and 27 December 1882, pages 7a and 4e.
    The proposed discontinuance of the rail service to Glanville is discussed in the Register,
    21 and 30 July 1885, pages 5a and 4g,
    1 August 1885, page 6h; also see
    12 and 17 January 1887, pages 5c and 5a-b,
    9 February 1891, page 5f.
    "Largs Bay Railway Traffic" is in the Register,
    24 February 1908, page 8c.
    Also see Adelaide - Transport - Railways.

    A proposed extension to the jetty and the formation of an "outer harbour" is reported in the Register,
    20 August 1897, page 7g,
    3 and 17 September 1897, pages 5a and 7g,
    Express,
    3, 17 and 22 September 1897, pages 4c, 2g and 4b,
    Register,
    19 August 1898, page 7b-d,
    5 October 1898, page 7a,
    25 October 1898, page 4e; also see
    7 and 18 June 1901, pages 6h and 3g,
    29 July 1901, page 5c.

    "Largs Bay Cables" is in the Register,
    8 and 29 March 1886, pages 5c and 5a.

    An accident with rocket apparatus is reported in the Register on
    14 January 1889, page 6e; also see
    4 February 1889, page 5c.

    The purchase of the railway and jetty by the government is reported in the Register,
    13 and 14 February 1891, pages 4g and 7h.

    "The Anchorage" is in the Register,
    14 April 1899, page 5a.

    Largs - Defence Matters

    Also see South Australia - Defence of the Colony.

    A History of Fort Largs

    (Taken from an unpublished manuscript by Geoffrey H. Manning, The Russians are Coming)

    During the latter half of the 19th century there were several proposals for the defence of Port Adelaide. A Martello tower was decided upon in the 1860s when it was proposed that a war vessel of the Hussar class, built about 1866 for the Peruvian government, should be bought - there is an account of the great fight between the Hussar and the Chilean navy in the Observer on 21 May 1898.

    Until 1880, what is now Largs Bay was a jumbled mass of sandhills; overseas ships called at Glenelg and one or two farmhouses were the only sign of life on what was, aided and abetted by plans for a proposed fort, to become a favourite spot for land speculators of the early 1880s. Lefevre Peninsula had been linked to Port Adelaide by the Jervois Bridge and across it trains ran to Semaphore - two points that that helped Largs Bay salesmen.

    When the land boom began buyers extended rapidly north of Semaphore jetty and the Largs Bay Land Company was formed. A private railway line was built connecting the new town with Glanville and as the company had no rolling stock, the government leased engines and carriages to it. On 21 January 1882 a ceremony was held in the new township in the sandhills, when the first pile of a jetty was driven. A campaign was commenced to have overseas liners berth at Largs Bay and a telephone line was laid down to a buoy so that ships could keep in touch with the mainland.

    The purpose of the proposed battery to the southward of Semaphore (Fort Largs) was to prevent a vessel armed with guns of long range lying to the westward and throwing shot and shell into Port Adelaide, but it was not supposed that it would be of any use in repelling a hostile force attempting to effect a landing on the coast. Indeed, in retrospect, the castigation of an enlightened citizen many years later suggested to many that the expenditure was a blatant waste of public funds:

    Early in April 1883 the Permanent Artillery was employed in getting the ordnance and ammunition from Port Adelaide to the site of Largs Bay fort. Although it was not to be completed for about five months, the ground where the guns were stored was required for building purposes. Two 84-pounder guns (muzzle loading) and two 12-ton Woolwich pattern had to be conveyed, besides some 300 rounds of ammunition, platforms, carriages, etc. The work all went well until Military Road was reached when fears were entertained as to its soundness. It was not, however, until after crossing the Largs Bay railway that any difficulty was met with the narrow road which, every hundred yards or so, was heavy with sand. The wheels of the waggon sank to the axletrees in two or three places, but the gunners soon lifted the vehicle by means of hydraulic jacks and a fresh start was made. It was found, however, that the horses were ?done in? and about 600 yards from the fort. Accordingly, Lieutenant Gordon decided to leave off and make a fresh start the next day.

    A team of horses from Messrs Graves & Co awaited them when they arrived from Fort Glanville where they had bivouacked overnight and, after proceeding about 100 yards, the horses swerved and the waggon, getting off the track, sank deeper than ever. The horses were then sent back and the gunners took the guns off the conveyance and returned to the Port, lifted the other gun on to it and set off again but, alas, the treacherous sand again defeated them. The guns were then both left on the road and, the next day ?the permanent artillery parbuckled [them] along the road to the fort.?

    The fort differed slightly from Fort Glanville in the interior arrangements, but the general outline was similar, but was to be six feet higher. The fort contractor was Mr Evans and the contract estimate £9,098-19s; the structure was begun in January 1883 and, when completed, equipped with two nine-inch guns and two 80-pounders as flank guns. The guns on the left flank commanded the river and the land approach, as well as to seaward. Those on the right flank swept the mouth of the river and commanded a good range seaward.

    The fort was surrounded by a deep ditch, V-shaped, differing in respect from Fort Glanville which was flat bottomed. The sword blade grass, so plentiful thereabouts, which, by the way, an enterprising colonist once tried to turn to account as a manufacture (see a note under 'sources? below), was laid thickly on the slope to bind the sand and was itself kept down by a layer of silt. In the immediate neighbourhood there were not many houses whose stock of crockery could be cracked by the thunder of the guns, but the nine-inch pieces were quite equal to rattling the cups in the Largs Bay Hotel, about a mile distant.

    On 19 April 1884 its guns were fired for the first time and a good deal of excitement was evident because the two guns used were those ?time honoured pieces? imported in 1868 and left to lie in 'solitary grandeur at the port.? The Engineer-in-Chief and Major Jervois visited the fort in March 1885 and inspected the work in progress on the barracks and other works. However, in view of the Russian scare of the time it was decided to create sandbag defences at the rear of the fort so as to prevent it being taken by a sudden attack by a hostile force of infantry.

    When completed, the total force housed in the fort was 44 men, but there was not enough room for sleeping quarters under the main roof, so six tents were erected in the courtyard to accommodate twelve men. New platforms were constructed for gun replacements in 1890 in the form of six-inch breech loading Armstrong's that had been mounted in the Armament Hall of the Jubilee Exhibition in 1886.

    The Fort Becomes the Police Academy
    (From the unpublished reminiscences of A.R. Calvesbert edited by Geoffrey H. Manning - copy in State Library)

    The police depot, my home for twelve months during 1935, was closed in 1944 after just ten years and reopened at Semaphore and it remained the training depot until 1961. Shortly after receiving my commission in 1961 the establishment at Fort Largs was handed over to the South Australian Police Department in a colourful ceremony, with Superintendent Eric Meldrum becoming the first commandant. He was a former member of our troop and joined the force in 1935.

    Following war service he assumed the role of Commandant of the Police Training School and remained in that position until his retirement in 1980. One of the best known and best liked members of the force, his reputation in the training field assumed international proportions, and his expertise was eagerly sought. His other interests included Legacy, the Royal Life Saving Society and the South Australian Bowling Association, in all of which he held high office. He was a great friend of mine and we met regularly following his retirement.

    Prior to the fort being taken over it was remodelled and new dormitories, messing, classrooms, gymnasium and swimming pool were built and the original area of the fort completely refurbished - even two large naval guns were remounted after the military people moved out.

    Sergeant Frank Armstrong, an armourer who served in the RAAF flying Catalina flying boats during World War II, supervised the reinstallation which took many painstaking months to complete. His brother-in-law was, formerly, Chief Superintendent Charlie Hopkins, who as a first class detective was intimately involved in the Sundown murder case and an excellent leader of men during the Vietnam protests on the streets of Adelaide. Later, he was chosen to lead a contingent of South Australian police officers to assist in supervising the evacuation and cleanup of Darwin in the wake of Cyclone Tracey. He was a great comrade and friend of mine and we travelled extensively on patrols in the far outback; it was a delight to be in his company.

    In the early 1970s a number of international courses in police administration were conducted at the academy at Fort Largs and all the participants were high ranking police officers. Some of the countries that were involved are as follows: Kenya, Malawi, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Bhutan, Tanganika, Gilbert and Ellice Islands to mention a few. The courses were sponsored by the Colombo Plan. It was a prestigious project, and our administration was delighted to have been chosen. At the time our Force was rating very highly, because of our training programs and excellent training facilities.

    Supt. J.B. Giles was course director and he later became Commissioner of Police. The first course was conducted in June 1972 and included a plan to send a group of the overseas contingent to tour police stations in the northern areas of the State, the aim being for them to study remote area policing and to gain an insight into Australian country life.

    I, together with Brian Giles, Barrie Riddle and Don Tonkin, accompanied the visitors and we visited police stations en route to Leigh Creek. The following day we set off to Anna Creek north of William Creek, where we camped then on to Oodnadatta where we slept at the police station. We visited Coober Pedy, Mirrikata, Tarcoola and Kingoonya and stayed overnight at Woomera, returning to Adelaide after a six day trip o 3,500 kilometres. It was a very interesting and enjoyable trip and our guests had great difficulty in comprehending the enormity of our country and the lifestyle they were introduced to. They were a very compatible group, full of enthusiasm and easy to get on with and this was remarkable as they came from diverse cultures, but all spoke English exceedingly well. There seems little doubt that that small excursion to the outback gave them all something to think about, especially on their return to their native lands.

    These courses were a profound success, and ceased after two or three years when funding was withdrawn, or for some other hidden reasons. As far as I and my colleagues were concerned, the involvement was a two way street and provided us with an opportunity to advance our knowledge through the personal contact with them. It was a very happy interlude.

    General Notes

    Defence works are reported upon in the Chronicle,
    22 March 1879, page 8d; also see
    17 January 1880, page 11b.
    Armament for the fort is described in the Register,
    19 April 1883, page 6a; also see
    Express,
    24 April 1886, page 3f.
    The fort is described on
    9 August 1883, page 6e; also see
    22 and 28 November 1883, pages 5c and 5a,
    19 April 1884, page 7b,
    Express,
    6 July 1888, page 4b,
    Chronicle,
    14 July 1888, page 13b,
    Register,
    15 October 1888, page 7h,
    29 January 1890, page 4h,
    15 February 1890, page 5b,
    30 August 1892, page 5b, 8 September 1905, page 6b,
    4 November 1905, page 9g,
    13 June 1924, page 13b.
    Photographs of the Artillery Garrison are in the Observer,
    3 June 1905, page 28,
    of militia training in the Observer,
    29 May 1929, page 33,
    Chronicle,
    6 April 1933, page 34.

    A military camp is described in the Express,
    9 and 11 May 1885, pages 3d and 3d.

    "The Insubordination at Largs Fort" is in the Register,
    18 November 1886, page 6e.

    Largs - Obituaries

    An obituary of Captain Henry Wilson is in the Register, 2 February 1892, page 5a.

    An obituary of F.J. Sanderson is in the Observer, 20 June 1903, page 24a,
    of James C. Scott on 1 October 1904, page 34b,
    of W. Fisher on 25 May 1912, page 41a,
    of Mrs Isabella Maxwell, wife of the sculptor, W.J. Maxwell, on 7 March 1914, page 41b,
    of George Wald on 20 February 1915, page 31c,
    of George Tall on 18 March 1916, page 39a,
    of Mrs R.T. Morriss on 15 April 1916, page 19a,
    of A.S. Scandrett on 5 August 1916, page 33b.

    An obituary of Joseph H. Thornley is in the Register, 10 January 1900, page 5c,
    of Mrs J.H. Thornley on 30 September 1902, page 4i,
    of Dr Francis McAree, RN, on 22 July 1903, page 4h,
    of James C. Scott on 27 September 1904, page 4g,
    of E.E. Harrold on 20 February 1907, page 6i,
    of Mrs Jane Tilbarry on 30 April 1907, page 5b.

    An obituary of Mrs Matilda Dingle is in the Register, 18 January 1909, page 4g,
    of George Wisdom on 21 February 1912, page 7a,
    of W. Fisher on 18 May 1912, page 13a,
    of Mrs Isabella Maxwell on 3 March 1914, page 8a,
    of George Wald on 18 February 1915, page 4g,
    of George Tall on 15 March 1916, page 4g,
    of A.S. Scandrett on 31 July 1916, page 4g.

    An obituary of Mrs Mary A. McFarlane is in the Observer, 3 August 1918, page 19d,
    of J. Jameson on 11 January 1919, page 31a,
    of George Battye on 22 April 1922, page 34b,
    of T.W. Carne on 28 October 1922, page 35a,
    of John Selven on 6 June 1925, page 10b,
    of F.C. Staer on 26 December 1925, page 38f,
    of Rachel M. Hutley on 26 February 1927, page 43a,
    of F.R. Ward on 14 July 1928, page 44b.

    An obituary of Mrs T. Hiley is in the Register, 28 June 1920, page 4i,
    of George Battye on 13 April 1922, page 6h,
    of Thomas W. Carne on 20 October 1922, page 6g,
    of Mrs Kate A. Germein on 2 November 1923, page 8g,
    of Mrs Anne Renner on 7 May 1924, page 11a,
    of W.H. Wigley on 15 October 1924, page 11h,
    of W.T. Farrow on 12 November 1924, page 13f,
    of Henry S. Hincks on 6 October 1925, page 8h.

    An obituary of R.J. Freeborn is in the Register, 30 January 1926, page 15e,
    of Philip T. Taylor on 21 August 1926, page 13c,
    of Mrs Rachel M. Hutley on 18 February 1927, page 8g,
    of John L. Lewis on 23 June 1927, page 8h,
    of H.J. Samuels on 9 August 1927, page 11f,
    of John W. Manning on 23 September 1927, page 10b.

    An obituary of Frederick R. Ward is in the Register, 11 July 1928, page 13c,
    of James Grant on 9 August 1928, page 11c,
    of Captain Thomas Tulloch on 6 December 1928, page 12f.

    Labatt, Point - Largs
    L